LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Humana
Inc. (NYSE: HUM), a leading health and well-being company, and Microclinic
International today announced the positive impact “Team Up 4 Health”
is making in Bell County, Ky. The two-year pilot program – the first of
its kind in the United States – is curbing preventable chronic diseases
by helping people eat better, get more exercise and encourage one
another to make healthier choices.

“The results are showing that Team Up 4 Health is improving
people’s health and catalyzing health improvements in their social
networks, as suggested by the randomized controlled trial that MCI is
implementing in Bell County.”

At the end of the program’s first year, 97 percent of the Bell County
residents who completed the program have realized at least one health
improvement in the following areas: reduced body mass index, sustained
weight loss, decreased symptoms of diabetes and reduced blood pressure.

“I’ve learned that it’s about making small healthy choices every day,”
said Willene Black, one of 265 Bell County Team Up 4 Health
participants. “I’m doing this program to spend more years with my
grandchildren. What’s more, I’ve been able to take this to my family and
friends, and when they see changes, they become more motivated as well.”

Team Up 4 Health – launched in Bell County, Ky., in July 2011 – was
developed through the microclinic program created and directed by
Microclinic International; the unique health and wellness approach
relies on larger community activities and microclinics. A microclinic is
a group of two to six people who share access to education, technology
and social support as they work together to achieve lifestyle behavior
changes that prevent and manage chronic conditions. For example,
participants get fitness and nutrition counseling in their microclinics,
participate in healthy cooking demonstrations, and visit grocery stores
with nutritionists.

Team Up 4 Health partners with the Bell County Health Department to
manage the day-to-day program.

Like many areas throughout the U.S., Kentucky has seen an increase in
the number of people affected by preventable diseases such as obesity,
diabetes, hypertension and stroke. In fact, according to the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kentucky’s rate of
obesity has climbed to 31 percent, five percent above the U.S. average.

“It’s well documented by the CDC that 70 percent of all health care
expenses go toward treating preventable diseases in this country,” said
Mike McCallister, Humana’s Chairman and CEO. “As a company committed to
helping people achieve lifelong well-being, we understand the value of
trying a new approach to preventing disease, not just treating it. We
chose Bell County because we identified it as a high-need area, the
community was open to the idea of change, and we wanted to help people
here in Humana’s home state of Kentucky.”

Dr. Eric Ding, Director of Epidemiology at Microclinic International and
a faculty member at the Harvard School of Public Health, said the
results show progress.

“I have witnessed first-hand the changes taking place in Bell County,”
Ding said. “The results are showing that Team Up 4 Health is improving
people’s health and catalyzing health improvements in their social
networks, as suggested by the randomized controlled trial that MCI is
implementing in Bell County.”

Team Up 4 Health participants are making lifestyle changes and seeing
the impacti:

Participants are Losing Weight: Program participants lost six
and a half pounds on average, compared with almost two pounds for
control group members.ii

Positive Changes to Eating Habits: By the end of the program’s
first year, 82 percent of program participants had reduced their
intake of full-fat dairy, and more than half reported consuming more
nuts and legumes.iii

Increasing Physical Activity: Program participants are not only
eating better, but they are moving more. The report from completion of
the first year of the program shows participants were five times more
likely to increase swimming activities and six times more likely to
increase aerobic activity as compared to control group members.
Program participants were also 18 percent more likely to increase the
frequency of their vigorous activities.

Stronger Well-Being: The results are paying off not just in
physical health, but in total well-being for participants. Overall, 84
percent of program participants improved their confidence in some
manner.

In addition to individuals influencing one another to make small,
healthy changes like reading nutrition labels, buying whole wheat versus
white flour products and exercising regularly, the program works with
the Bell County Health Department to create a positive circle of
influence and collaboration within the broader community.

“I’ve been a lifetime Bell County resident and in my role with the Team
Up 4 Health program, I’ve seen hundreds of lives change in positive
ways. One of our local restaurants changed its menu to offer healthier
choices with fresh local ingredients,” said Leigh Ann Baker, Program
Manager at the Bell County Health Department. “In Bell County we
recognize the need to change and are excited to make healthier choices.
Ninety-eight percent of phase one graduates said they would recommend
the program, and we’ve seen them take home what they have learned to
their family and friends, continuing to spread the message of small
healthy behavior steps.”

Since the program’s inception, Bell County has begun its transformation
to being a healthier place. It’s now home to two “fitness parks,” where
community members can be seen regularly exercising together; this summer
Bell County created its first community organic garden; and the
community now features a new pavilion where families can gather for
celebrations.

“This is the first time we’ve brought the microclinic model to the U.S.,
and we’re thrilled to see its success,” said Leila Makarechi, COO and
EVP of Program Management, Microclinic International. “With Team Up 4
Health, participants are able to make tangible improvements to their
health and the health of their friends and family, and we are also
seeing rippling effects throughout the entire community. Healthy
behaviors are becoming contagious as participants make small but
powerful changes that improve their quality of life.”

Twice as many participants have signed up for the second year of Team Up
4 Health in Bell County. The second year of the program started in
September and will continue through June 2013. Team Up 4 Health is
currently participating in a gold-standard randomized controlled trial
that will be completed at the end of the two-year pilot with
comprehensive results.

The Team Up 4 Health pilot focuses not just on impacting participants,
but also making a difference throughout the community. Other founding
partners of the Team Up 4 Health pilot program included Citizen Effect,
a nonprofit dedicated to leveraging citizen-based approaches to
sustaining community projects.

About Humana

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a leading health care
company that offers a wide range of insurance products and health and
wellness services that incorporate an integrated approach to lifelong
well-being. By leveraging the strengths of its core businesses, Humana
believes it can better explore opportunities for existing and emerging
adjacencies in health care that can further enhance wellness
opportunities for the millions of people across the nation with whom the
company has relationships.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the
Investor Relations page of the company’s web site at www.humana.com,
including copies of:

Annual reports to stockholders;

Securities and Exchange Commission filings;

Most recent investor conference presentations;

Quarterly earnings news releases;

Replays of most recent earnings release conference calls;

Calendar of events (including upcoming earnings conference call dates
and times, as well as planned interaction with research analysts and
institutional investors);

Corporate Governance information.

About Microclinic International

Microclinic International (MCI) is a nonprofit organization seeking to
revolutionize how deadly diseases are prevented and managed worldwide.
Building on cutting-edge epidemiological evidence suggesting that
healthy behaviors are transmittable across social networks, the
microclinic strategy of “contagious health” leverages human
relationships to address diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, obesity, and HIV/AIDS. MCI has established microclinic programs
in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and North America. For more
information, please visit www.microclinics.org.

i Please note that these results are preliminary and subject
to change as additional data is collected during Phase 2 of the pilot
program.